Independents Campaign to Fight Hunger

The National Grocers Associations (NGA) and the NGA Research and Education Foundation have launched the Independents Day of Giving campaign to support Feeding America, which provides helps provide hunger relief to more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries nationwide.

The campaign, in partnership with the Retail Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) and Making Change, will run throughout the month of June, with June 21 designated as the Day of Giving. Shoppers will be encouraged to add $1, $3 or $5 donations to their grocery bill at participating independent supermarkets – more than 2,000 grocery stores have agreed to participate. Food banks receive the majority of donations during the winter months, and by selecting June the campaign hopes to help grow summer donations, especially at a time when most children lack access to school meal programs.

NGA Research and Education Foundation VP and Executive Director Elizabeth Crocker acknowledges that too many Americans are having to choose between putting food on the table and paying bill. “With such strong ties to the communities they serve, independent grocers have the unique opportunity to make sure no one is put in that difficult position,” she said.

A recent study by Feeding America found that one in seven people struggles with hunger in the United States. The survey found that nearly 20.9 percent of children face food insecurity, compared to the nation’s overall food insecurity rate of 15.4 percent.

The donations will be collected by Making Change, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, and redistributed back into the local communities of each participating independent supermarket.

For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.nationalgrocers.org/day-of-giving